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Additional White River Area Information
Davy Wotton's Web Site | White River Home Page | White River Lodging Directory
Davy Wotton's
White River & North Fork River Fly Fishing Report
Updated about once per month, or as conditions change.
Current Report: April, 2005
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report click Refresh
Hello Fly Fishers!
As of my last report the period of lower water flows we had at that time did not last too
long, sad to say. As of now, and after the heavy rains we have recently had both rivers
are running high water flow again. And of course wade fishing is out of the question for
the best part.
Overall the fishing has been up and down. Some days very good and others very slow.
Typically when high water flows exist the dam zone of both rivers will get a great deal of
pressure. Water conditions here are generally good, clear water and no trash, which may
not be the case further down stream at such times.
There is no doubt that the increased boat traffic at these zones will shut fish down at
times, and you may well have a tough time to get fish to take your offerings.
There is still some evidence of small numbers of shad showing up at the Bull shoals dam
and if you are there at that time you may well nail a good fish.
High water demands of course that you get the fly you are using well down close to the
stream bed. Check out my previous reports for fishing high water techniques.
Choices of fly to use at these time for the White river, should be flies that the fish
will see well in the faster water zones, typically San Juan worms, eggs, and jigs will
work. If you are able to drift in a controlled way close to shoreline and back eddy water
then you may well do ok fishing with scuds, sow bugs and smaller fly patterns. In fact
fishing this way has accounted for a number of very good fish these past few weeks.
Sunk line methods using sink tips are also a good bet, working close in to shore lines
with woolly buggers and streamers.
It may also pay you if it is safe to do so to anchor in slower zones of flow and fish by
both floating and sunk line methods these areas. Often fish will cruise around here and
can be found in good numbers at that time. This way will allow for you to fish more
productively than by drifting, which may well spook the fish out of these known holding
zones. In some cases you may well be able to fish from the shore lines, as many fish will
be found close to bank side structure.
I know of one lady angler that nailed a 13lb Brown from the shore at the Sportsman's
resort using a brown jig. Fish are here, just got to work for em at this time.
Not much else that l can give you so far as guide lines are concerned at this time. If in
the event we see low water flows then l will update the report before the end of the month
for the rivers.
So far as the lakes are concerned as of now the crappie fishing is very good along with
other species you can fly rod for, bass and sunfish. Work known brush piles and structure
for the crappie, and drift shore lines for many other species found here. Bull shoals lake
is producing also some good Rainbow trout, l guess some of the fish that were stocked
there in the past few years.
The Buffalo river is of course still running off from the heavy rain fall we have just
had, but before too long smallmouth fishing will pick up and there are still good numbers
of trout in the lower sections of the river at the confluence.
Hopefully by the end of the month all systems will be providing good fishable water.Good fishing for the month and see you on the river,
Tight lines for now,
Davy Wotton
About Davy Wotton
Davy has been making his living as a full time fly fisher in one capacity or another for
over 30 years. He has written many articles for all of the fly fishing magazines, created
several unique flies and fly tying materials which he developed into a full scale
manufacturing operation in his native country of Wales, and is a much-sought speaker
around America at fly fishing functions and shows. Over the years Davy has fished in over
40 countries around the world but his choice for base of operation is right here on the
White River. Davy operates his American International Schools of Fly Fishing in Flippin,
Arkansas.
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